Apart from many other health benefits, green tea can help reduce insulin resistance and improve memory, which can be caused by a Western diet.

Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.(Shutterstock)

Here’s another reason to have that cup of green tea. According to a study, ingredients found in this tea can reduce high-fat and high-fructose (HFFD)-induced insulin resistance and improve memory. New research identifies potential therapeutic intervention for memory impairment, neuro-inflammation and brain insulin resistance induced by high-fat, high-fructose diet. Previous research said green tea can help fight arthritis and joint pain.

The study, conducted on mice, suggests that EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), the most abundant catechin and biologically active component in green tea, could alleviate high-fat and high-fructose (HFFD)-induced insulin resistance and cognitive impairment. Previous research pointed to the potential of EGCG to treat a variety of human diseases. Yet until now, EGCG’s impact on insulin resistance and cognitive deficits triggered in the brain by a Western diet remained unclear.

“Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water and is grown in at least 30 countries,” said Xuebo Liu from Northwest A&F University, in Yangling, China. “The ancient habit of drinking green tea may be a more acceptable alternative to medicine when it comes to combatting obesity, insulin resistance and memory impairment,” Liu added.